'Welcome To 2026': Pete Hegseth Declares America Is 'Back' After Capturing Venezuelan President
HuffPost
The defense secretary delivered a series of bravado-loaded comments during a press conference Saturday.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Saturday delivered a series of bragging comments during a press conference about the overnight U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.
“This is about the safety, security, freedom and prosperity of the American people,” said Hegseth at the Mar-a-Lago presser. “This is America First. This is peace through strength. And the United States War Department is proud to help deliver it. Welcome to 2026.”
He continued, “And under President Trump, America is back.”
The Trump administration had been accusing Maduro of trafficking deadly narcotics such as fentanyl into the U.S. and has bombed alleged drug boats in the Caribbean since September, which has led to dozens of fatalities.
The Department of Justice has indicted Maduro on narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges. Captured during the overnight operation alongside his wife, Cilia Flores, he is expected to arrive in New York on Saturday.
U.S. Southern Command said three people were killed when the first boat was struck, while people in the other two boats jumped overboard.
The dozen orders Adams issued since his indictment included a directive to allow federal agents, including immigration officers, to use an office on Rikers Island.
Victoria Jones, 34, was reportedly found on New Year's Day.
Elon Musk has abandoned DOGE, but Republicans are holding on.
Dr. Jonathan Reiner was left baffled by the president's explanation of his medication use.
President Donald Trump defended his energy and health in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.
The "Late Show" host got blunt with the key lesson he learned about billionaires.
The president described one bidder as "the biggest guy on Wall Street" before deriding the man's $1 million offer as "peanuts."
In October, the United States said 13 Italian pasta companies would face an extra 92% duty beginning in 2026.
Officials for the National Links Trust said in a statement that they were “devastated” by the decision.
The change impacts a cross-section of Americans who don’t get insurance from an employer and don’t qualify for Medicaid or Medicare.
The democratic-socialist phenom begins one of the most unrelenting jobs in American politics as one of the country’s most-watched politicians.
The California governor wished the president anything but a happy 2026.